Lullabies from the Axis of Evil (2004) is an album collecting traditional lullabies sung by women from Iraq, Iran, and North Korea ("the axis of evil"), as well as Syria, Libya, and Cuba ("beyond the axis of evil"), plus Afghanistan and Palestine, mixed with Western performers singing translated versions of the songs.
It was conceived by Norwegian music producer Erik Hillestad in reaction to the "axis of evil" term[2] first used by U.S. President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address.
Reviewers generally acclaimed the idea of the album, while reviews of the final product were mixed.
Washington Post: "The most thought-provoking musical statement made this election year just might be a CD of heartbreakingly beautiful songs for babies."[2]
Allmusic: "The idea is excellent - giving a human face to those countries labeled by George W. Bush as "the axis of evil" in his 2002 speech. [...] But it's the music that lets the project down."[4]
Controversy
The producer claimed that several artists had not wanted to participate in the project, because they were afraid of boycott from the music industry and media.[5]
According to a statement from the album's U.S. distributor Valley Entertainment,[6][7] their company was blacklisted in 2007 by the George W. Bush administration because of its release. A press release (2 March 2007) from the album's original Norwegian record company Kirkelig Kulturverksted (Norway's largest independent record label) also claimed that their U.S. distributor had been blacklisted by the Bush administration.[8]
Track listing
"Sad Sol (You, My Destiny)" (Iran) - Mahsa Vahdat, Sarah Jane Morris
"Dilelol (Sleep, My Child)" (Iraq) - Amel Kthyer, Halla Balsam, Eva Dahlgren
"Lalolalo (Don't You Worry My Child)" (Afghanistan) - Kulsoom Syed Ghulam, Lila Downs
"Ya Layl Ma Atwalak (This Never Ending Night)" (Palestine) - Rim Banna, Kari Bremnes
"Luna, Luna (Luna, Luna Little Doll)" (Syria) - Mayada Killsly Baghdadi, Mimi
